What is your favorite lens to use for children?

mommyof3princesses · 10th of December 2009 (Thu)

I'm getting the 50D (currently have a Sony Alpha a-230) and I'm curious as to what lens you find yourself always using when photographing small children? I am getting the "nifty fifty" to give it a try. I have 3 little girls 3 and under who I will be taking pictures of and I also need to take pictures of new products for my business (little girls accessories and tutus). So tell what your fav is!

Forgot to add that I will be taking alot of indoor pictures with the girls. Thanks!

E-K · 10th of December 2009 (Thu)

Personally, I leave the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 on most of the time both indoors and out. I like the range for portraiture on an APS-C sensor. That being said, 24 may not be wide enough in close quarters. I do have the 50mm f/1.8 as well and used it heavily before getting the Sigma.

e-k

nugglemama · 10th of December 2009 (Thu)

I love my 30 mm Sigma for indoors with the kids. I have 5 kids 8 years-20 months and it works well in close spaces. The nifty 50 is ok but I find it too tight inside, but I have a small house.

Pablo808 · 10th of December 2009 (Thu)

I have been using a "nifty fifty" or a EF 100m Macro (slightly long to be used indoors though) and OCF.

Might need something wider if you are to fit all 3 children in the frame.

You cant go wrong with the 50 f1.8...

sam4205 · 11th of December 2009 (Fri)

Just got a nifty-fifty for indoor use for my 17mo son and really loving it. Lot better than the kit lens.

egordon99 · 11th of December 2009 (Fri)

For awhile I used my Sigma 30mm and Canon 85mm primes, but I got lazy and now tend to use the Canon 24-70L.

If I'm outside, I also like to use the 70-200mm f/4 IS. If I'm outside in a BIG field, the 100-400L has also gotten some use shooting children.

mommyof3princesses · 11th of December 2009 (Fri)

Thanks for all of your input! I'm going to go checkout some of the lenses you had mentioned.

I usually just take one picture at a time since trying to get all 3 into the picture is VERY hard, but I still try to get them together once and while!

ChrisMc73 · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

If you had a choice of the 24-70mm L or the nifty fifty 50mm 1.8, for a small family (2 adults 1 kid), which would you choose? Indoors, with or without flash?

egordon99 · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

24-70L WITH off-camera flash through shoot-through umbellas. 50mm is way too limiting.

I have done shoots with my 30 and 85 primes, but I had two bodies so switching lenses wasn't an issue.

ChrisMc73 · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by egordon99

24-70L WITH off-camera flash through shoot-through umbellas. 50mm is way too limiting.

I have done shoots with my 30 and 85 primes, but I had two bodies so switching lenses wasn't an issue.

Well off camera flash through shoot-through umbrellas isn't an option for me.

egordon99 · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

Then on-camera flash bounced appropriately would work ok as well. I would NOT go into an indoor shoot without at least one speedlight.

Naturally Aspirated · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

i used the 70-200 f2.8 L IS yesterday and loved the results but it was used outdoors. i would get a 24-70 f2.8 L if i were in your shoes. MFD is 1.25' so using it for product photography would work great too. oh, and i would also recommend a flash of some sort.

Naturally Aspirated · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by egordon99

Then on-camera flash bounced appropriately would work ok as well. I would NOT go into an indoor shoot without at least one speedlight.

yea definately at least a speedlite mounted on the hot shoe bounced

ChrisMc73 · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

Ok, I'll use my 24-70mm L then with the 580EX speedlite I'm borrowing. I just bought the 580EX II from Amazon.com, will be here on the 16th...tomorrow's shoot will be with the 580EX.
I'm also getting the omni-bounce by sto-fen for Christmas.

Midwestrider · 14th of December 2009 (Mon)

I dont mean to take away from the OP but I'm in a similar boat for lens choice for indoor shots of childern/family. I'm new to DSLR's (looking at 50D kit) but I'm coming from a Powershot S5IS. I'll be getting a flash (580EX II) but my hang up has been to I go with one of the following:

A) stick with kit lens - 28-135mm f/3.5 - 5.6
B) get the 24-105L f/4
c) get the 24-70L f/2.8
d) get the 17-55 (EF-S) f/2.8

I won't get into the pro/cons of each lens but I wonder when indoors and with the flash being used will their be a difference. I'm trying to determinewhat will be the best for kids (2m and 6yr old) along with family pics.
Thanks in advance for any advice given.

10th of December 2009 (Thu)	#1
mommyof3princesses Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 31	What is your favorite lens to use for children? I'm getting the 50D (currently have a Sony Alpha a-230) and I'm curious as to what lens you find yourself always using when photographing small children? I am getting the "nifty fifty" to give it a try. I have 3 little girls 3 and under who I will be taking pictures of and I also need to take pictures of new products for my business (little girls accessories and tutus). So tell what your fav is! Forgot to add that I will be taking alot of indoor pictures with the girls. Thanks! Last edited by mommyof3princesses : 10th of December 2009 (Thu) at 14:26. Reason: add more info

10th of December 2009 (Thu)	#2
E-K Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 945 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? Personally, I leave the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 on most of the time both indoors and out. I like the range for portraiture on an APS-C sensor. That being said, 24 may not be wide enough in close quarters. I do have the 50mm f/1.8 as well and used it heavily before getting the Sigma. e-k

10th of December 2009 (Thu)	#3
nugglemama Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 145 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? I love my 30 mm Sigma for indoors with the kids. I have 5 kids 8 years-20 months and it works well in close spaces. The nifty 50 is ok but I find it too tight inside, but I have a small house. __________________ Camera happy mama to 5 kids constantly on the move. Canon XSI 18-55 IS,Tamron 28-75, 55-250 IS ,Sigma 30mm f/1.4, 100mm f/2.8 macro Flickr

10th of December 2009 (Thu)	#4
Pablo808 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 35	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? I have been using a "nifty fifty" or a EF 100m Macro (slightly long to be used indoors though) and OCF. Might need something wider if you are to fit all 3 children in the frame. You cant go wrong with the 50 f1.8... __________________ 5DM3 \| EF 24-70L f2.8 II \| 50D \| EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS \| EF 70-200L f4 IS \| EF 100 f2.8 Macro \| EF 50 f1.8 \| 580EX II \| CyberSyncs flickr

11th of December 2009 (Fri)	#5
sam4205 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 65 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? Just got a nifty-fifty for indoor use for my 17mo son and really loving it. Lot better than the kit lens. __________________ 5D Mark II \| 5D Classic w/grip \| 85mm 1.2L II \| 70-200 2.8L IS USM \| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 \| YN-465

11th of December 2009 (Fri)	#6
egordon99 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philly 'burbs Posts: 9,881	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? For awhile I used my Sigma 30mm and Canon 85mm primes, but I got lazy and now tend to use the Canon 24-70L. If I'm outside, I also like to use the 70-200mm f/4 IS. If I'm outside in a BIG field, the 100-400L has also gotten some use shooting children.

14th of December 2009 (Mon)	#8
ChrisMc73 Goldmember Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 3,141 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? If you had a choice of the 24-70mm L or the nifty fifty 50mm 1.8, for a small family (2 adults 1 kid), which would you choose? Indoors, with or without flash? Last edited by ChrisMc73 : 14th of December 2009 (Mon) at 11:22.

14th of December 2009 (Mon)	#12
Naturally Aspirated Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 356 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? i used the 70-200 f2.8 L IS yesterday and loved the results but it was used outdoors. i would get a 24-70 f2.8 L if i were in your shoes. MFD is 1.25' so using it for product photography would work great too. oh, and i would also recommend a flash of some sort. __________________ Jonathan Gear List

14th of December 2009 (Mon)	#15
Midwestrider Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 9	Re: What is your favorite lens to use for children? I dont mean to take away from the OP but I'm in a similar boat for lens choice for indoor shots of childern/family. I'm new to DSLR's (looking at 50D kit) but I'm coming from a Powershot S5IS. I'll be getting a flash (580EX II) but my hang up has been to I go with one of the following: A) stick with kit lens - 28-135mm f/3.5 - 5.6 B) get the 24-105L f/4 c) get the 24-70L f/2.8 d) get the 17-55 (EF-S) f/2.8 I won't get into the pro/cons of each lens but I wonder when indoors and with the flash being used will their be a difference. I'm trying to determinewhat will be the best for kids (2m and 6yr old) along with family pics. Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Lens for children's outdoor portraits	imahawki	Kids & Family Talk	42	9th of October 2012 (Tue) 06:16
When Children Get Tired of the Lens....	Kristy	People	13	21st of November 2009 (Sat) 12:04
In search of a good lens for photographing children.	stevienixed	Canon EF and EF-S Lenses	51	22nd of March 2009 (Sun) 18:22
Overall good lens for portraits, children, or modeling	sweetypie925	Canon EF and EF-S Lenses	7	7th of May 2007 (Mon) 05:33